![Southern Living Strawberry Ranch Water in glasses to serve](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.southernliving.com/thmb/O7ftPflYUMLA7lI9J_vGHTbUR0c=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living-27199_Bounty-Strawberries_1784-strawberry-ranch-water-5d8cb1bd776b4a4e9fe4e7ff374ad07a.jpg)
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl
A simple refreshing cocktail like Ranch Water is a summer no-brainer, but when infused with seasonal strawberries, the drink is irresistible. It also couldn’t be easier to make the berry-infused spirit, as all it requires is a bottle of blanco tequila, a quart of strawberries, and a little time.
Your patience pays off too, as the strawberry-flavored spirit can be used in many other tequila cocktails, from margaritas to tequila sunrises.
When it comes to ranch water, no matter the flavor, there are a few pro-tips to keep in mind. One tip is that not all mineral water is made the same. We’re partial to Topo Chico, and the ‘twist of lime’ flavor is a great way to add an extra citrus tang to this cocktail.
Speaking of citrus, use fresh lime juice in this drink. When a cocktail has so few ingredients, it’s extra important that each component has as much flavor as possible, and you just won’t get as bright a flavor from bottled lime juice.
Ingredients
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6 Tbsp. (3 oz.) Strawberry-Infused Tequila (recipe below)
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2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
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1/2 cup chilled sparkling mineral water (such as Topo Chico)
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Lime wedge, for garnish
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Fresh strawberry, for garnish
Directions
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Fill a glass with ice. Pour in tequila and lime juice. Top with sparkling mineral water. Garnish with a lime wedge and a fresh strawberry.
Strawberry-Infused Tequila
![Southern Living Strawberry-Infused Tequila](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/2ndG6BPnXRhy58BCJyrXnu0ypHU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living-27199_Bounty-Strawberries_1822-Strawberry-Infused-Tequila-b4ee0425bd214e018eb324fa409e3d16.jpg)
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl
Place 1 qt. fresh strawberries (hulled and sliced) in a large glass jar with lid. Pour 1 (750-milliliter) bottle blanco tequila over strawberries; seal lid on jar. Reserve tequila bottle. Let tequila mixture stand in a cool, dark place, shaking twice a day, until tequila turns red and strawberry flavor is pronounced, about 2 days. Using a funnel, pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter into reserved bottle; discard strawberries.
Active 5 min. - Total 2 days 10 min. Makes 3 cups.